4. Be thankful every day for the people you love...you have no guarantee that you or they will be here

tomorrow. I rarely go to sleep these days without realizing that it may be the last time I'll experience consciousness. While my health is pretty good, I'm 58-my peers drop dead unexpectedly every day. Shit happens when you least expect it. Enjoy life to the fullest while you can because nothing is guaranteed...

6. Over the last couple of years I've lost 8 very close friends. I only have one really good friend

left. It takes way too long to cultivate a really good friend and sometimes I think I'm going to left here all alone with only people who don't really know me very well. It's a daunting feeling. Sorry for your loss - it hurts.

9. Truer words were never spoken. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I lost my mother a month ago. She had a wonderful life and lived to be 95 years old. Lucid until the last two hours of her life. I think one of the reasons she lived a long life is that she adapted to changes....even the death of my father in '02. However, the last two years when she lost more and more friends, many, of course, younger than she, I could tell those loses were becoming insurmountable for her. I have thought a lot about this and have concluded that close relationships are what keeps us propped up in life and make life more enjoyable. You are right,,,,we need to remember who we have in our lives...they are staples and we need them as much as air and water.

10. I'm so sorry, R. I'm glad she had you for a friend.

12. I'm so sorry for your loss..

Good friends are very hard to find and sometimes keep. We are so mobile anymore that it is difficult to stay in touch with good friends that are now miles away. I treasure those friends that I have and try to stay in touch-good friends are very important.